Arrest of Student Leaders Amid Widespread Protests

On 3 August, Sri Lankan police arrested five HRDs - Koshila Hansamali Perera, of the People’s Movement for Free Education; Chameera Koswatte, from the Workers Struggle Centre; Amila Sandeepa, President of the Jayewardenepura University Students’ Union; Wasantha Mudalige, Convenor of the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF); and Heshan Harshana, a student leader from Rajarata University – due to their participation in a peaceful protest on 3 August 2021.

The five jailed activists were denied bail under provisions of the Offences Against Public Property Act (No. 12 of 1982). This law denies bail except in exceptional circumstances if the alleged offence is damage to public property estimated to be above Rs. 25,000 (US$125). In a letter addressed to the Magistrate on August 4, police claimed damages of Rs. 213,633.42 (US$1,073) for alleged damage caused to police barricades and to the road resulting from burning of a mock coffin made of cardboard.  Lawyers for the activists have argued that the allegations are baseless, politically motivated and a clear misuse of the law. Bail has been denied despite lawyers arguing exceptional circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, upcoming university examinations and underlying health conditions.

The Inter University Students Federation (IUSF) was formed in 1978 and remains the largest student led organisation in Sri Lanka to date. It represents the voice of student councils and action committees in 16 higher education institutes including all the major universities and technical colleges in the the Sri Lanka. Inter University Students Federation is an advocate against all type of privatizations of free education and fighting for better educational system that confirms equality of all students and better society.